October 24, 2011—PSU students who participated in the Brown Company Research & Development Building public mural project are being honored as the inaugural recipients of the “Young Preservationists” award from the NH Preservation Alliance.

The Alliance is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of events and the institution of this new award intended to honor contributions made by young adults that support, communicate, and highlight important NH places, innovations, and other artifacts of cultural and historical significance. The recipients are invited to participate in a number of events over the coming months. Their specific contributions will be featured and celebrated at these events.

Photo Credit: Kaleb Hart

The mural panels are the high-profile centerpiece of a trio of collaborative projects intended to feature the unique and powerful history of innovation of Brown Company in Berlin, NH. Comprising twenty-four 4′x8′ painted panels, the exhibit is on display on the street-facing side of the building where it will remain until the restoration is complete. After that, the panels will move indoors to become a permanent exhibit.

Photo Credit: Kaleb Hart

The mural project came about when Jim Wagner (Northern Forest Heritage Park and Brown Research Building Rehabilitation Project) and DES representative, Keith DuBois, inspected the building and determined that a protective solution to the leaking windows of the building’s west wing needed to be implemented as soon as possible. (The wing is slated for environmental remediation and historic rehabilitation, as was completed in the building’s east wing.) DuBois had the idea of covering the windows with student art projects and an idea was born.

Wagner, who has collaborated with the Center for Rural Partnerships at Plymouth State University on other projects in the past, saw an opportunity to involve PSU students in a one-of-a-kind project to educate the public and celebrate an important part of Berlin’s history. He contacted Thad Guldbrandsen, who connected with faculty members Tom Driscoll and (now Dean of Arts & Sciences) Cynthia Vascak. Tom offered to create a public mural course for the Spring 2011 semester and the planning phase began in earnest.

Photo Credit: Kaleb Hart

Students visited the site, interviewed content experts, developed and proposed multiple designs, and executed the final version—all within the bounds of a single semester!

Kaleb Hart captured the project in progress with photographs (including those featured in this post) and is producing a video documentary.

The mural project required collaboration and support from a wide range of participants, including funders, off-campus organizations and suppliers, content experts, and others. In addition to securing partial funding and networking to connect with supportive suppliers, Jim Wagner coordinated the off-campus participants and installation of the panels.

Qawal Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers are the direct descendents of the first choirs to sing in the Khusrou qawwali tradition, more than 700 years ago. They are considered the present-day torch bearers of this transcendent form of Sufi devotional music. The Caravanserai residencies mark their first appearances in the U.S.

The Tari Khan Ensemble is led by percussionist Ustad Tari Khan, internationally acclaimed as “The Tabla Prince of India and Pakistan.” Tablas are hand drums that whose mastery results in a wide array of sounds and tones. His mesmerizing tabla performance will be accompanied by additional percussionists playing dholis. Dholis are double-headed drums worn suspended from a strap across the player’s neck. The player holds a different kind of stick in each hand and plays both ends of the drum simultaneously while spinning.

In addition to the culminating concert, the schedule of events includes a vegetarian potluck welcoming reception, world music jam, an intergenerational drumming workshop, and two informal presentations (for schedule details,click here). All events except the final concert are free and open to people of all ages.

Launched by Arts Midwest in 2010 (on behalf of the US Regional Arts Organizations) with support from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, Caravanserai residencies provide American audiences a unique opportunity to “experience the diversity of contemporary Muslim artistic expressions.” The AANNH is honored to be one of only five organizations in America selected as a host for the 2011-2012 season. Please attend one or more of these unique and enriching events!

(Click the images below for one-page PDF study guides about each of the artists!)

Berlin- St. Kieran Art Center will launch the 2nd Annual August Celtic Mondays Mini-Series on August 1 at 7 pm with The Spinney Brothers, one of Nova Scotia’s best bluegrass bands. Tickets are $15 at the door and $13 for Arts Center subscribers.

From the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada, The Spinney Brothers Band is comprised of Allan Spinney, Rick Spinney, Gary Dalrymple and Terry Mumford. Brother Allan and Rick established their band in 1992, showcasing a tight brother duet vocal style that was immediately recognized for its energetic and distinctive sound. The cornerstone of The Spinney Brothers musical identity is the sound of traditional, southern-flavored bluegrass music.

The first generation bluegrass legends have been an important musical influence because their music is shaped by their personal lives and local heritage. By incorporating original material, which draws from various sources, the Spinney Brothers effortlessly intertwine the past with the present. www.spinneybrothers.com Tickets $15 / $13 for members

“We are so excited to have such a great line-up of international touring bands coming to the North Country! We are extremely thankful for our special partnership with Phill McIntyre at Skye Theatre who put together such a strong and diverse series. Circle your calendars, because St. Kieran Arts Center is the place to be on Monday nights this August!” states Joan Chamberlain, Executive Director.

All shows are at 7 pm. All tickets are $15, except Tartan Terrors at $20. St. Kieran members receive a $2 courtesy discount. Arts Center performances are supported in part by the NH State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation/North Country’s Art Ventures Fund, an Anonymous Fund, Libby Family Fund, North Country Region Community Fund and the Stanton and Elizabeth Davis Fund. For more information and a series brochure call 752-1028 or visit 155 Emery Street/ www.stkieranarts.org

Berlin, NH–Circle your calendars for great performances coming up in July! Please support our guest artists and the magic of live entertainment at the Arts Center! All seats $12 for adults and $6 for students. Tickets sold at the door.

Thursday, July 21 at 7 PM: Nu-Utopians (formerly the John Lennon Project) in a special tribute performance “IMAGINED” featuring the songs and music of John Lennon. Artists include members of Aztec Two Step and Devonsquare! Wow. Don’t miss this one!

The St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts provides a wide variety of cultural events for the enrichment of residents and tourists in the Androscoggin Valley. The Community Arts Center was opened in 2000 after the former St. Kieran Church was closed, and an area-wide committee of community residents spearheaded an effort to transform the church into a cultural center. For more information, please visit www.stkieranarts.org.